This is the Tree of Life here in Bahrain. It is located on top of a small rise and stands by itself in the south end of the Awali oil field.
From Wikipedia:
"The Tree of Life (Arabic: شجرة الحياة; transliterated: Shajarat al-Hayah) is a 100+year old tree, probably a Prosopis cineraria (Mesquite),[1] in Bahrain that is considered a natural wonder.[2] This unique tree stands alone in the desert about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from the Jebel Dukhan, the highest point in Bahrain.[3]
The source of water for this tree remains a mystery because it stands in a place completely free of water."
Interesting to us Texans it is related to a Mesquite Tree (which is ubiquitous in South Texas).
October 9, 2009 This is a photo of H.M. the king and his son (19 years old) on a bill board along the Zallaq hwy going to work. There are several of these - they just put them up because the son just got married to the daughter of the head Sheik in the UAE.
From Wikipedia:
"The Tree of Life (Arabic: شجرة الحياة; transliterated: Shajarat al-Hayah) is a 100+year old tree, probably a Prosopis cineraria (Mesquite),[1] in Bahrain that is considered a natural wonder.[2] This unique tree stands alone in the desert about 2 kilometres (1.2 mi) from the Jebel Dukhan, the highest point in Bahrain.[3]
The source of water for this tree remains a mystery because it stands in a place completely free of water."
Interesting to us Texans it is related to a Mesquite Tree (which is ubiquitous in South Texas).
October 9, 2009 This is a photo of H.M. the king and his son (19 years old) on a bill board along the Zallaq hwy going to work. There are several of these - they just put them up because the son just got married to the daughter of the head Sheik in the UAE.
Fourth Week
Saw this cool place driving around the Awali field today - there was one more like it a few yards to the north. "Very functional one bedroom- natural climate control, Low maintenance yard, Low electric bills, Must see"
The Grand Mosque of the Kingdom of Bahrain - it is beautiful at night when the minarets are lighted.
Tonight (Saturday) - went with Festus to Ric's Cafe in Jaffair and got Cajun Fish- it is just like a Oil Field cafe back home - except there is a Union Jack along with Old Glory, states of Texas and Okla and USC, LSU flags- also a FDNY poster on the ceiling showing the World Trade Center smoking. There was even a handwritten scrawl on the wall that said "Go Ducks"! They had one TV on "ESPN America" with the Reds playing the Rockies. I mean it's a redneck joint with Chicken Fry, Burgers, Hot Dogs, baked potatoe, Fried Okra. Serve Breakfast too. Loved it.
Saw this cool place driving around the Awali field today - there was one more like it a few yards to the north. "Very functional one bedroom- natural climate control, Low maintenance yard, Low electric bills, Must see"
This is a photo of my "office" - mine is the one on the right and my boss -Chad Jones- is the one on the left.
A couple more fun facts: the traffic signals here - the Yellow light is like in the US... to let you know the light is about to turn Red.... But.... also flashes on before the signal turns Green - so you can start acclerating before the signal actually turns Green....no kidding....
Service in the restaurants here is terrific- the waiters and waitresses are mostly from Thailand and Phillipines and they come here on work permits and if their boss gets a complaint about their service....sometimes it is almsot too much.
August 1The Grand Mosque of the Kingdom of Bahrain - it is beautiful at night when the minarets are lighted.Tonight (Saturday) - went with Festus to Ric's Cafe in Jaffair and got Cajun Fish- it is just like a Oil Field cafe back home - except there is a Union Jack along with Old Glory, states of Texas and Okla and USC, LSU flags- also a FDNY poster on the ceiling showing the World Trade Center smoking. There was even a handwritten scrawl on the wall that said "Go Ducks"! They had one TV on "ESPN America" with the Reds playing the Rockies. I mean it's a redneck joint with Chicken Fry, Burgers, Hot Dogs, baked potatoe, Fried Okra. Serve Breakfast too. Loved it.
3d Week July 25
Went out to eat in Adaliyah again last night. Took a jaunt with Festus to some of the shops and saw some beautiful wood work- all Rosewood- finish and handcarving is beautful.
This is the entry and food court to the Jawad Dome shopping center (Indoor). Very nice.
This is self explanatory to Paula and Cheryl, but for everyone else its the DQ ( "grill and chill") at a neat shopping center in Saar called Jawada Dome. This is the 3d DQ I have ssee here- in fact- there is a DQ in Ayidilya that is smack dab ( I mean on the same grounds) in front of a big mosque!!
The bonus here is that there is a "Thai Express" right next to this DQ with Thom Kai Kai ($2.65) and Phad Thai ($3.50) as good as any at a very reasonable price. There is also a "Chili's Express" and "Papa John's" peezzer etc. etc. I saw more Expats here at the Jawada Dome than I had seen any other.
Second Week July 20
This is the rent car I have here a Nissan Tiida. It is really perfect for the driving conditions - quick acceleration and turning- you don't need big power here as the Max speed limit here is 100 kilometers / hr or about 63 mph. The roundabouts and somewhat erratic drivers require quickness vs top end speed. Afillup here costs about $18 for about 40 liters (10 gals.) or about $1.80 / gal.
July 21 - this is a photo of the City Center roundabout. The statue is a tribute to the pearl that Bahrain was famous for. The buildings in the background are the big Financial Towers on the harbor.
The roundabouts are a driving challenge- it reminds one of the old amusement park ride "dodge cars" as many play "what's my lane?". This is a turn signal optional place .....
Saturday July 18 -Awali Camp
Ok now the basics- this the "office" building about 15 of us occupy for now. Used to be some family's "villa", that's what they call houses here- villas. This Monday half of us move into a different spot, more room and a little nicer. Since the place was built by Chevron - there are actually 110 volt outlets in the walls vs the 220 volt everywhere else in Bahrain.
This is the church at Awali camp. It covers both Catholic and Anglican services. The Anglican service is at 10 am Saturday. The Catholic services are both Saturday and Sunday evenings. There is a Catholic church downtown Manama too. Not sure if there are other churches around but could be. It is very good of the King and the Bahrainian people to grant freedom of worship in their country. Not the case in Saudi Arabia. btw the red and black symbol in the sign is the BAPCO symbol.
View from behind the pews. As you may guess it is a small church.
Went out to eat in Adaliyah again last night. Took a jaunt with Festus to some of the shops and saw some beautiful wood work- all Rosewood- finish and handcarving is beautful.
This is the entry and food court to the Jawad Dome shopping center (Indoor). Very nice.
This is self explanatory to Paula and Cheryl, but for everyone else its the DQ ( "grill and chill") at a neat shopping center in Saar called Jawada Dome. This is the 3d DQ I have ssee here- in fact- there is a DQ in Ayidilya that is smack dab ( I mean on the same grounds) in front of a big mosque!!
The bonus here is that there is a "Thai Express" right next to this DQ with Thom Kai Kai ($2.65) and Phad Thai ($3.50) as good as any at a very reasonable price. There is also a "Chili's Express" and "Papa John's" peezzer etc. etc. I saw more Expats here at the Jawada Dome than I had seen any other.
Second Week July 20
This is the rent car I have here a Nissan Tiida. It is really perfect for the driving conditions - quick acceleration and turning- you don't need big power here as the Max speed limit here is 100 kilometers / hr or about 63 mph. The roundabouts and somewhat erratic drivers require quickness vs top end speed. Afillup here costs about $18 for about 40 liters (10 gals.) or about $1.80 / gal.July 21 - this is a photo of the City Center roundabout. The statue is a tribute to the pearl that Bahrain was famous for. The buildings in the background are the big Financial Towers on the harbor.
The roundabouts are a driving challenge- it reminds one of the old amusement park ride "dodge cars" as many play "what's my lane?". This is a turn signal optional place .....
Saturday July 18 -Awali Camp
The Entrance to the Awali camp coming in off the road to Riffa.
This is a photo of the first roundabout coming into Awali camp. The camp was built in the 1950's by Chevron who disovered oil in Bahrain in 1932 then went and discovered the first oil in Saudi Arabia in 1933. Oil had been discovered in Persia (Iran) as early as 1911 and a little later in Iraq but exploration slowed after WW I. Chevron was called Standard of California back then. Their Exploration department was apparently very good one might conclude.
Ok now the basics- this the "office" building about 15 of us occupy for now. Used to be some family's "villa", that's what they call houses here- villas. This Monday half of us move into a different spot, more room and a little nicer. Since the place was built by Chevron - there are actually 110 volt outlets in the walls vs the 220 volt everywhere else in Bahrain. This is the church at Awali camp. It covers both Catholic and Anglican services. The Anglican service is at 10 am Saturday. The Catholic services are both Saturday and Sunday evenings. There is a Catholic church downtown Manama too. Not sure if there are other churches around but could be. It is very good of the King and the Bahrainian people to grant freedom of worship in their country. Not the case in Saudi Arabia. btw the red and black symbol in the sign is the BAPCO symbol. View from behind the pews. As you may guess it is a small church.Friday
Last night went and had Thai food (TomKai Kai and Seafood mix fried rice - it was excellent - food, service and ambiance!) at a district in Manama called Adiya (sp?) - I want to explore it more to see but it had a nice feel to it- quaint - several neat restaurants.
Went to the City Centre Mall this evening- big, 3 levels! They have a coffee / cafe stops- Costa, Starbucks, GloriaEJeans etc on about every turn on each level (the ,all is shaped like a square donut).. Also had a Chili's and TGIF. Carrefour is the hypermarket- the nicest I have been to so far. Saks Fifth Avenue, Versace, Hugo Boss, Many jewelry stores.
The manager of my "Flat" who sits behind the counter in the lobby is Indian or Pak or Bangladeshi and although he thinks he speaks Enlglish I can only understand about 10% of what he says and I am usually pretty good at un-tangling foreigners English -- its like I want to say E-NUN-CI-ATE - your words! It sounds like somebody talking with a mouth chock full of tater salad and molasses. So tonight as I have no idea what I agreed to.
The washing machine in the apt kitchen. It is pretty small but very handy - I did two loads today! Drying is a creative endeavor.
Went to the City Centre Mall this evening- big, 3 levels! They have a coffee / cafe stops- Costa, Starbucks, GloriaEJeans etc on about every turn on each level (the ,all is shaped like a square donut).. Also had a Chili's and TGIF. Carrefour is the hypermarket- the nicest I have been to so far. Saks Fifth Avenue, Versace, Hugo Boss, Many jewelry stores.
The manager of my "Flat" who sits behind the counter in the lobby is Indian or Pak or Bangladeshi and although he thinks he speaks Enlglish I can only understand about 10% of what he says and I am usually pretty good at un-tangling foreigners English -- its like I want to say E-NUN-CI-ATE - your words! It sounds like somebody talking with a mouth chock full of tater salad and molasses. So tonight as I have no idea what I agreed to.
The washing machine in the apt kitchen. It is pretty small but very handy - I did two loads today! Drying is a creative endeavor.
View to the NE from my apartment window. Note the cranes on the buidlings - more construction.
Hello everyone- I'll post some more pictures this weekend.
View looking north in the oil field. Weatherford drilling rig in the background.
View from the pool of my apartment on the 14th floor looking NW - in the western side of the city of Manama. This is not the Harbor area where the bigger modern buildings are.
View from the pool on 14th floor looking Sw. These are what the houses look like in the not so wealthy part of town.
Yours truly standing in front of the first well drilled in Bahrain- 1932. The well came in at 9,600 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) - enough oil to make 400,000 gallons of gasoline. That would allow a car getting 20 mpg to go 8 million miles or around the equator of the Earth 300 times.
A random picture of a major street down by the oil field (Awali). Wind was blowing a tad.
View looking north in the oil field. Weatherford drilling rig in the background.
View from the pool of my apartment on the 14th floor looking NW - in the western side of the city of Manama. This is not the Harbor area where the bigger modern buildings are.View from the pool on 14th floor looking Sw. These are what the houses look like in the not so wealthy part of town.Yours truly standing in front of the first well drilled in Bahrain- 1932. The well came in at 9,600 barrels of oil per day (BOPD) - enough oil to make 400,000 gallons of gasoline. That would allow a car getting 20 mpg to go 8 million miles or around the equator of the Earth 300 times.A random picture of a major street down by the oil field (Awali). Wind was blowing a tad.
Weekends here in Bahrain and most other Gulf States are Friday- Saturday. All the stores and businesses do not open Friday until about 4:00 pm. Sunday is a workday.
In Saudi Arabia the weekend is Thursday and Friday.
Soda cans here use ring tabs- for those of you who can remember ring tabs.
Rent cars are delivered or picked up with no gas in them- like the warning light is on.
Even expats get a week during Ramadan (the holy month) because there is one week where nobody is supposed to work (except hospital, fire police etc) . Ramadan starts and ends each year late August or early September and lasts a month. The timing is based on the lunar cycle.
At one grocery store they had a pay slot for 0.1 Dinar ( 25 cents) to get a grocery cart. The other one I went to did not charge anything.
